[kictanet] ICANN Approves Historic Change to Internet's Domain Name System Board Votes to Launch New Generic Top-Level Domains

[alice at apc.org]

ICANN Approves Historic Change to Internet's Domain Name System
Board Votes to Launch New Generic Top-Level Domains

Singapore | ICANN's Board of Directors has approved a plan to usher in one
of the biggest changes ever to the Internet's Domain Name System. The
Board vote was 13 approving, 1 opposed, and 2 abstaining.

During a special meeting, the Board approved a plan to dramatically
increase the number of Internet domain name endings -- called generic
top-level domains (gTLDs) -- from the current 22, which includes such
familiar domains as .com, .org and .net.

    "ICANN has opened the Internet's naming system to unleash the global
human imagination. Today's decision respects the rights of groups to
create new Top Level Domains in any language or script. We hope this
allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind," said
Rod Beckstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICANN.

New gTLDs will change the way people find information on the Internet and
how businesses plan and structure their online presence. Internet address
names will be able to end with almost any word in any language, offering
organizations around the world the opportunity to market their brand,
products, community or cause in new and innovative ways.

    "Today's decision will usher in a new Internet age," said Peter
Dengate Thrush, Chairman of ICANN's Board of Directors. "We have
provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and
inspiration."

The decision to proceed with the gTLD program follows many years of
discussion, debate and deliberation with the Internet community, business
groups and governments. The Applicant Guidebook, a rulebook explaining how
to apply for a new gTLD, went through seven significant revisions to
incorporate more than 1,000 comments from the public. Strong efforts were
made to address the concerns of all interested parties, and to ensure that
the security, stability and resiliency of the Internet are not
compromised.

ICANN will soon begin a global campaign to tell the world about this
dramatic change in Internet names and to raise awareness of the
opportunities afforded by new gTLDs. Applications for new gTLDs will be
accepted from 12 January 2012 to 12 April 2012.